An Israeli security company has helped police catch a gang of armed robbers who attempted a smash-and-grab burglary on a Mayfair jewellery store.
Yair Daren told the JC how his Security Risk Specialist firm co-operated with officers who had received a tip-off about a potential robbery at the Chronext shop in central London.
Police launched an operation to catch the scooter gang yesterday.
Four robbers, who were armed with axes and knives, were arrested at the scene after causing £500,000 worth of damage when they smashed windows and glass casing.
Mr Daren, who set up his company after leaving the Israeli army, said: “The police came to us early yesterday morning and told us they knew there was going to be a burglary. We had only hours to prepare.
“They told us it was going to be violent and that the robbers would be armed and our guard needed to be ready.
“We had to open the shop as normal as they wanted the robbers to assume everything was ok, so they told our guard to co-operate with them and follow procedure to keep the staff safe.”
A Met Police spokesman said officers attended the scene after the Flying Squad received intelligence.
He said: “Four male suspects on two scooters were arrested as they attempted to rob a jewellers on Piccadilly. An axe and knives were recovered from the scene.”
Mr Daren, a former head of security at UJIA, said: “The hero of the day was not us. It was the police officer who jumped on one of the motorbikes, stopping the robbers from getting away.”
The officer was seriously injured during the arrests and was taken to hospital for treatment. Three other officers were injured when tasers were used to stop the gang.
The store sells watches priced from under £1,000 to, former IDF lieutenant Mr Daren said: “north of £25,000".
He addedL “It was a huge raid and the police moved quickly to foil it. It is the kind of situation we practice for and all our guards are trained in krav maga.
“In this instant our guard did not have to use it as he was advised by police to do what the robbers said.
“He did a great job and he wasn’t scared. He was eager to help police catch the gang.”
A spokesman for Chronext said the store was closed before the raid took place in order to protect customers.
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